Rotating Pipe

ABSTRACT

A rotating pipe. The rotating pipe includes a housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a depression along an upper side of the housing. The depression further includes an aperture at a base of the depression, wherein the aperture is connected to an opening in the second end via a channel. A bearing is affixed to a center of the housing, such that the housing can rotate about the bearing along a longitudinal axis of the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/538,339 filed on Jul. 28, 2017. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rotating pipe. Specifically, the present invention relates to a rotating pipe configured to rotate about a bearing disposed in a pipe housing.

Many people possess nervous energy, leading to fidgeting movements or other similar actions to expend such energy. Without expenditure of nervous energy, people may become bored, anxious, distracted, or otherwise uncomfortable. Frequently, people rely on manual dexterity and the manipulation of various objects to calm these needs. Additionally, many individuals with nervous energy also smoke. Therefore, a device that aids in providing user stimulation and expending nervous energy while also providing a device that allows a user to smoke is desired.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing rotating pipes. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of rotating pipes now present in the known art the present invention provides a rotating pipe wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when spending anxious energy while smoking.

The present system comprises a housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a depression along an upper side of the housing the depression having an aperture at a base thereof. The second end further comprises an opening therein, wherein a channel extends between the opening and the aperture, such that the depression is in fluid communication with the opening. A bearing is disposed within the housing, the bearing configured to allow the housing to rotate thereabout along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing. In some embodiments, the bearing further comprises a hole therethrough, the hole configured to receive a finger therethrough. In another embodiment, a weight of the first end and a weight of the second end are balanced about the bearing, such that the first end and the second end freely rotate about the bearing. In other embodiments, the bearing is disposed in a center of gravity of the housing. In yet another embodiment, an upper surface of the bearing rests flush with an upper side of the housing. In some embodiments, a lower side of the bearing rests flush with a lower side of the housing. In another embodiment, opposing sidewalls of the housing comprise a rounded shape. In other embodiments, the channel splits into a pair of pathways configured to extend through the housing on either side of the bearing. In yet another embodiment, the bearing comprises a ball bearing. In some embodiments, the first end tapers inwardly from the upper side and a lower side of the housing. In another embodiment, the housing comprises a heat resistant material. In other embodiments, the housing comprises a heat insulating material. In yet another embodiment, the upper side and a lower side of the housing each comprise a planar surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the rotating pipe.

FIG. 2 shows a top down view of an embodiment of the rotating pipe.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of the rotating pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the rotating pipe. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the rotating pipe. The rotating pipe 11 comprises a housing 12 having a first end 13 and a second end 14. In the illustrated embodiment, an upper side 16 of the housing 12, and a lower side (as shown in FIG. 3, 24) of the housing 12 each comprise a planar surface. In this way, the housing 12 can be placed on a surface when not in use without rolling or falling therefrom. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, opposing sidewalls (shown in FIG. 3, 26) of the housing 12 each comprise a rounded shape, providing an aerodynamic profile such that friction along the housing 12 is reduced when the rotating pipe 11 is in use. Additionally, in the shown embodiment, the second end 14 tapers from the upper side 16 and the lower side and from the opposing sidewalls, such that cross section of the second end 14 is decreased, allowing a user to easily place the second end 14 into their mouth to inhale smoke therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 13 also tapers from the upper side 16 and the lower side and from the opposing sidewalls, similarly to the second end 14, such that each of the first and second ends 13, 14 are balanced. In this way, the housing 12 can evenly rotate while minimizing energy losses due to uneven load distribution. In some embodiments, the housing 12 comprises a heat resistant material, such that heat generated during the burning of the plant material does not damage the housing 12. In another embodiment, the housing 12 comprises a heat insulating material configured to prevent the transfer of heat through the housing 12 and into the user. In this way, the user is protected against being burned by the rotating pipe 11.

A depression 15 is disposed on an upper side 16 of the housing 12 at the first end 13 thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the depression 15 comprises a bowl shape having sloping sidewalls, the depression 15 configured to hold plant material for smoking. However, alternate depression 15 forms are contemplated, including, but not limited to depressions 15 having linear sidewalls, such that plant material placed therein are not easily displaced therefrom. An aperture 17 is disposed within the depression 15, the aperture 17 configured to receive smoke generated from burning plant material within the depression 15 therethrough. The aperture 17 is in fluid communication with an opening 18 disposed on the second end 14, such that smoke generated at the depression 15 can travel through the housing 12 and exit the opening 18 upon the application of suction thereto.

The first end 13 and the second end 14 are configured to rotate about a bearing 20 disposed within the housing 12. In some embodiments, the bearing 20 is disposed at a center of gravity of the housing 12, such that a weight of the first end 13 and the second end 14 are balanced thereabout, allowing the housing 12 to efficiently rotate about the bearing 20. In other embodiments, differences in weight between the first and second ends 13, 14 can be mitigated by the addition of a weighted element to one of the first or second ends 13, 14, ensuring that the housing 12 is balanced about the bearing 20. The bearing 20 is disposed within the housing 12 such that the housing 12 can rotate thereabout along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing 12. In this way, the user can alternately smoke using the rotating pipe 11 and expend nervous energy or engage in manual stimulation by spinning the housing 12 about the bearing 20. In the shown embodiment, the bearing 20 further comprises a hole 21 disposed through a center of the bearing 20. The hole 21 is configured to receive a finger or other similar object therethrough, allowing the user to use their finger or other object as an axis around which to rotate the housing 12. In this way, the user can ensure that nothing is in the path of rotation of the housing 12, thereby not inhibiting the rotation thereof. This ensures that the housing 12 can rotate freely as the user desires. In the illustrated embodiment the bearing 20 comprises a ball bearing, however alternate bearings 20 capable of allowing the housing 12 to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 12 are also contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a top down view of an embodiment of the rotating pipe. A channel 19 extends through the housing between the aperture 17 and the opening 18, such that the aperture 17 is in fluid communication with the opening 18. In this way, smoke generated at the aperture 17 can be forced through the channel 19 to exit through the opening 18 when a suction force is applied thereto. In an alternate embodiment, the channel 19 comprises an entire interior of the housing, such that the housing is hollow. In some embodiments, the channel 19 comprises tubing therein, the tubing configured to prevent smoke damage to the channel 19 over extended periods of use.

In the illustrated embodiment, the channel 19 splits into a pair of pathways 25 extending through the housing on opposite sides of the bearing 20 and rejoin together towards the opening 18. In this way, the user is ensured an even flowrate of smoke through the channel 19 as suction force is applied to the opening 18. Additionally, as the channel 19 requires the removal of material from the housing, the pair of pathways 25 ensure that the weight distribution across the rotating pipe is equalized, thereby providing smooth, stable, consistent rotation of the housing about the bearing 20.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a side view of an embodiment of the rotating pipe. In the illustrated embodiment, an upper surface 22 of the bearing 20 rests flush with the upper side 16 of the housing, and a lower surface 23 of the bearing 20 rests flush with a lower surface 24 of the housing. In this way, the bearing 20 does not extend beyond the housing allowing the form factor of the rotating pipe to be minimized, allowing ease of transport, storage, and the like. Additionally, as the bearing 20 is not recessed within the housing, the user can easily grip the upper and lower surfaces 22, 23 of the bearing 20 when the user spins the rotating pipe. Alternatively, the upper and lower surfaces 22, 23 can extend beyond the housing, such that the grip of the user clears the housing by a sufficient margin to prevent the user's hand from inhibiting the rotation of the housing. Additionally, when the bearing 20 extends beyond the housing, the user can rest the lower surface 23 on a support surface, such as a table, such that the housing is supported above the table. In this way, the user can spin the housing about the bearing 20 while it is resting on a support surface, providing the user with an additional method to relieve nervous energy.

In one exemplary use, the user inserts plant material in the depression and ignites it, thereby generating smoke. The smoke can then be drawn through the channel disposed within the housing by providing suction force on the opening of the second end. Once the user is finished smoking, should the user desire to relieve anxious energy, the user can grip the bearing disposed within the housing, and apply a force to either the first end or the second end. This causes the housing to rotate about the bearing along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Repeated forces allow the housing to continuously rotate about the bearing, thereby providing stimulation to the user and releasing pent up energy that would otherwise be disruptive or distracting.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1) A rotating pipe, comprising: a housing having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end comprises a depression along an upper side of the housing, the depression having an aperture at a base thereof; wherein the second end comprises an opening therein; a channel extending between the opening and the aperture, such that the depression is in fluid communication with the opening; a bearing disposed within the housing, the bearing configured to allow the housing to rotate thereabout along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing. 2) The rotating pipe of claim 1, wherein the bearing further comprises a hole therethrough, the hole configured to receive a finger therethrough. 3) The rotating pipe of claim 1, wherein a weight of the first end and a weight of a second end are balanced, such that the first end and the second end freely rotate about the bearing. 4) The rotating pipe of claim 1, wherein the bearing is disposed in a center of gravity of the housing. 5) The rotating pipe of claim 1, wherein an upper surface the bearing rests flush with an upper side of the housing. 6) The rotating pipe of claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the bearing rests flush with a lower side of the housing. 7) The rotating pipe of claim 1, wherein opposing sidewalls of the housing comprise a rounded shape. 8) The rotating pipe of claim 1 wherein the channel splits into a pair of pathways configured to extend through the housing on either side of the bearing. 9) The rotating pipe of claim 1, wherein the bearing comprises a ball bearing. 10) The rotating pipe of claim 1, wherein the first end tapers inwardly from the upper side and a lower side of the housing. 11) The rotating pipe of claim 1 wherein the second end tapers inwardly from the upper side and a lower side of the housing. 12) The rotating pipe of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a heat resistant material. 13) The rotating pipe of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a heat insulating material. 14) The rotating pipe of claim 1, wherein the upper side and a lower side of the housing each comprise a planar surface. 